How To Attach Sandpaper To Hand Sander

If you’re tackling a DIY project and need to sand some furniture, knowing how to attach sandpaper to hand sander is an important skill. Not only will it save you time and frustration, but it can also make all the difference in getting a smooth and professional finish.

In this guide, we’ll show you how easy attaching sandpaper to your hand sander is, as well as talk about some furniture painting tools and supplies, including the best options to use.

Hand sanding can be tiring and time consuming, especially if you’re dealing with a large surface or multiple pieces. If you’re not up for putting in all that time and effort, there’s an easier way: using a sander.

There are different types of sanders and sandpaper, and you’ll want to make sure you have the right combination for your project. But before you can start working, you need to know how to properly attach the sandpaper to your hand sander.

If you don’t do it properly, it might slip off or not stay in place, which can cause uneven sanding and a less than perfect finish. But no need to stress – it’s an easy and straightforward process that anyone can get the hang of!

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How To Attach Sandpaper To Palm Sanders

Palm sanders that don’t have a hook and loop pad, like square or rectangle ones, usually come with two clamps, one on each side, and work with regular sheets. We suggest using 3M professional grade sandpaper – it’s super durable and lasts a long time. That means less stopping in the middle of your project to replace it because it tore or wore out too quickly.

You’ll want to cut one to match the size of the pad or the bottom part you’re attaching it to. Make sure to leave an extra inch and a half – or even 2 inches – on the sides where the clamps are. This extra bit is important so you can wrap the paper around the edges and secure it with the clamps.

Usually, you just push the little handle in to release it from its hook, lift it up to undo the clamp, and then wrap the paper around the curved edge. After that, just tuck the edge of it into the clamp. Then you clamp it, tighten it up, and pull the rest of it over to the other side so you can clamp it there, too.

How To Attach Hook and Loop Sandpaper

Other types of sanders include detail or mouse, which are triangle shaped, and orbital sanders, which are usually round, like a circle, but some are rectangular too. They all have a hook and loop system on the bottom, so the paper attaches easily to it. Here’s our list of the types of sanders for furniture to make sure that you are using the right one for your project.

You’re gonna need some hook and loop paper – hook and loop on one side, rough abrasive on the other. I love the SurfPrep sanding sheets. I also love the Diablo sanding discs for my circular sanders. They’re a bit pricier, but they are the best.

They are awesome because they don’t clog as much as regular options. Plus, the abrasive surface or scratchiness lasts way longer, and they don’t rip or tear easily. They’re seriously great!

Usually, your sander will have holes on the bottom to suck up dust, sawdust, or paint particles and send it all into its dust port. I like to hook mine with a shop vac for even better cleanup. Here’s how to connect orbital sander to shop vac if you have one.

Just line up the holes on the paper with the ones on the bottom of your sander, and once that’s done, just stick the hook and loop onto the pad, and you’re good to go! With sanding screens, you don’t have to line them up since they are full of tiny holes that let dust pass through and get sucked right into your dust bag with no problem.

Use a Pad Saver

Another fantastic thing to have is a pad saver. It’s a really, really thin piece of material that has a hook and loop. So, on one side is the really scratchy side, and on the other side is more of the softer side.

You just set that on your sander pad, then put your sandpaper over it. It’s another layer to protect your pad from getting damaged. It’s usually a super cheap little add-on that can help your tool last longer.

Best Sandpaper For Hand Sanders

Diablo sanding discs and screens are the best, in my opinion. They’re easy to pick up at Home Depot. They work really well and last a long time. They don’t clog up and don’t rip and tear, so you don’t have to constantly change them out.

If you’ve got a triangle or any odd shaped sander, as long as it’s 5 inches or smaller in any direction and has a hook and loop base, you can totally use these Diablo discs or screens. I just cut them down to match the size of these other random sanders since I don’t use the other sizes very often. It’s easy to cut out these screens and plop them on.

I also love 3M professional grade sandpaper. These are just the regular sheets without the hook and loop backing. I love these for hand sanding, just folding them into little pieces and using them.

This is the best out there. It won’t rip or fall apart on you, and the abrasive lasts a long time. It’s great quality and only a little more expensive than the cheap stuff, but it’ll make your project go a lot smoother. You can learn more about all of the best sandpaper for furniture painting options here!

When you use the cheap kind, it’s like 30 seconds in, and suddenly, the paper’s torn, clogged, or barely working anymore because all the rough abrasive is already gone. That’s the downside of the cheap options! Spending a bit more on your sandpaper or discs means you won’t have to swap them out every 30 seconds, making your job so much easier.

More Sanding Furniture Tips

• How to Clean Wood After Sanding
• How To Sand Down Wood
• How To Prevent Sandpaper Clumps from Ruining Your Finish

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